Rank (2006)

O An excellent must-see
X Good rental choice
O Mediocre
O Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / April 3, 2007

“Rank” is a well-made documentary that follows three cowboys during the 2004 Professional Bull Riders World Finals in Las Vegas. And though I’m not particularly interested in bull riding, I found the film fascinating.

The seven-day competition assembles the best riders in the world, all risking life and limb for a million dollars and a big, golden belt buckle.

Adriano Moraes, Justin McBride and Mike Lee are three of the most determined people I have seen in film. “Rank” is an effective documentary because we grow increasingly concerned about the success and well being of these riders.

The bull-riding footage may become monotonous for some viewers; I found it horrifying and thus intriguing. There aren’t any bloody or gory attacks depicted, but past injuries are graphically described and a few horrendous boo-boos are shown. Indeed, a PBR physician means it when he says, “In bull riding, it’s not a matter of if you’ll get hurt — it’s a matter of when.”

If you rent “Rank,” have some Tylenol available for your empathy pains.

Directed by John Hyams
Adriano Moraes / Justin McBride / Mike Lee
90 min. Documentary
(No original MPAA rating)
Edited version age recommendation: 10 and up

DVD release date: April 3, 2007
Copyright 2007.
JP0067 : 173